For Immediate Release August 25, 2011

Contact: Sung-Hee Park [email protected] tel +1 212 636 2680

CHRISTIE’S PRESENTS SUPERB AND RARE AND WORKS OF ART IN NEW YORK THIS SEPTEMBER

A Very Rare Large Finely Cast Gilt-Bronze Figure of Vairocana , 16th Century 20 ¼ inches (51.5 cm.) high Estimate: $600,000-800,000

New York- On September 15 and 16, Christie's New York will present Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, which all together offers over 550 objects across many categories and tastes, and many from private collections. Highlighting the sale is a very rare large and finely cast gilt-bronze figure of Vairocana (illustrated above, estimate: $600,000-800,000), which is an exceptional example of its type, exhibiting superb casting and fine attention to detail. With estimates ranging from $4,000 to $1 million, the sale is expected to realize in the region of $19 million.

One of the highlights of the ceramics section is a rare blue and white Ming-style moonflask, Qianlong seal mark in blue and of the period (1736-1795) (illustrated right, estimate: $500,000-700,000). This flask is particularly rare as other examples of this design are usually of larger size. The sale also includes a group of fine doucai including a rare doucai dish, Kangxi six-character mark in underglaze blue within a double circle and of the period (1662-1722) (estimate: $200,000- 300,000); and a very rare doucai , Yongzheng/Qianlong period (1723-1796) (estimate: $300,000-500,000), of unusually elegant proportions and colorfully enameled with a dragon and phoenix amidst exotic flowers.

Leading the sale is a magnificent massive gilt-lacquered bronze figure of Vairocana, Ming dynasty (1368-1644) (estimate: $1,000,000-1,500,000). Vairocana is one of the Five Dhyani Buddhas, which represent the five qualities of the Buddha. The simple robes reflect the purity of Vairocana’s character. Another Ming bronze figure of Variocana, but luxuriously covered in gilding, adorns the cover of the sale catalogue (illustrated on page 1). The figure exhibits superb casting and fine attention to detail, especially incised details of the hems of the robes and the crisply cast features of the tiered crown.

Highlighting the selection of twenty textiles from a private European collection is a rare pair of brocade gold-ground civil official’s rank badges of a peacock, buzi, late 17th/early 18th century (illustrated left, estimate: $30,000-40,000). Woven in shades of blue, coral red and turquoise, rank badges of this type with a gold ground are exceptionally rare. Another highlight is a set of four finely stitched embroidered dragon roundels, early to mid-19th century (estimate: $18,000-25,000), which would have originally adorned an imperial court surcoat.

Also included in the sale is an impressive selection of furniture fashioned from some of the most highly prized woods in China, including huanghuali, literally “yellow flowering pear wood,” a rare type of rosewood, and zitan, another rare type of rosewood admired for its rarity, density, fine, tight grain and deep purplish-brown patina. Among the zitan highlights is a very rare pair of huamu-inset zitan armchairs, 18th /19th century (estimate: $400,000-600,000). Deeply carved with dragon and phoenix decoration, this pair falls into a group of mid-Qing Palace furniture. Equally impressive is a very rare imperial mother-of-pearl-inlaid gilt-decorated black and red-lacquered softwood recessed-leg wine table, jiuzhuo, Wanli six-character mark in red lacquer in a line and of the period (1573- 1619)(estimate: $200,000-300,000). This remarkable table is a rare and important example of early imperial lacquer furniture, which rarely survives in such well-preserved condition. Additional highlights include:

A Superbly Carved Rhinoceros Horn A Rare Large Ritual Bronze Wine Vessel Flower-Form Cup and a Cover, Hu 17th/ 18th century Middle Western Zhou dynasty, circa 9th century B.C. Estimate: $80,000-120,000 Estimate: $400,000-600,000

A Very Rare and Unusual Flambe-Glazed Vase A Pair of Finely Carved Huanghuali Qianlong incised seal mark and of the period Horseshoeback Armchairs, Quanyi (1736-1795) 17th century Estimate: $150,000-200,000 Estimate: $100,000-150,000

Auction: Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art September 15-16 Viewing: Christie's Rockefeller Galleries September 9-16

About Christie’s Christie’s, the world's leading art business had global auction and private sales in 2010 that totaled £3.3 billion/$5.0 billion. Christie’s is a name and place that speaks of extraordinary art, unparalleled service and expertise, as well as international glamour. Founded in 1766 by James Christie, Christie's conducted the greatest auctions of the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries, and today remains a popular showcase for the unique and the beautiful. Christie’s offers over 450 sales annually in over 80 categories, including all areas of fine and decorative arts, jewellery, photographs, collectibles, wine, and more. Prices range from $200 to over $100 million. Christie’s has 53 offices in 32 countries and 10 salerooms around the world including in London, New York, Paris, Geneva, Milan, Amsterdam, Dubai, Zürich, and . More recently, Christie’s has led the market with expanded initiatives in emerging and new markets such as Russia, China, India and the United Arab Emirates, with successful sales and exhibitions in Beijing, Mumbai and Dubai. *Estimates do not include buyer’s premium. Sales totals are hammer price plus buyer’s premium and do not reflect costs, financing fees or application of buyer’s or seller’s credits. # # # Images available on request Visit Christie’s Website at www.christies.com Complete catalogue available online at www.christies.com or via the Christie’s iPhone app